South Carolina Driver’s License Requirements (A 2024 Guide)

In South Carolina, you can get a license as early as 15½ years old.

Of course, there will be some restrictions that you must follow.

But still — a license is a license.

Now, the whole South Carolina driver’s license requirements process can be confusing.

This is why, here, we’re going to give you the steps in order.

This way, you will know what to do from beginning to end.

So shall we?

How to Get A Driver’s License in South Carolina

Here is the South Carolina driver’s license requirements process:

Get a beginner’s permit (for 15 and above years old)
Earn a first-time license (for 15½ to 16 years old)
Gain a regular driver’s license (for 17 and above years old)

Let’s walk you through these stages.

How to Get a Beginner’s Permit in South Carolina

EVERYONE needs to start with a beginner’s permit.

So the following steps are essential to anyone getting a driver’s license.

(OPTIONAL) Study the SC Driver’s Manual. This will help you ace your knowledge test.

Prepare the following documents:
1. A downloaded and filled-up Form 447-NC (Application for a Beginner’s Permit, Driver’s License, or Identification Card).
2. Proof of identity and date of birth
3. Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
4. Social Security Number
5. Proof of current address in South Carolina
6. Proof of legal name change (if any)

NOTE: For acceptable documents for a US citizen, check Form MV-93. For non-US citizens, check Form MV-94.

Go to the South Carolina DMV branch nearest you. If you’re below 18, bring your parent or legal guardian with you (they should have proof of identity).

Submit the required documents and have your parent/legal guardian complete and sign Form 447-CM (Consent for Minors). They must do this in front of a DMV representative.

Take the vision test.

Pay $2.00 for the knowledge test.

Pass the knowledge test.

Pay $2.50 for your beginner’s permit.

Now, you can start learning how to drive!

But remember, you must follow these restrictions:

You are allowed to drive from 6 AM to 12 midnight with any licensed driver with at least one year of driving experience and at least 21 years old.
You can only drive from 12 midnight to 6 AM if you are being supervised by anyone listed on the Consent for Minor form.
All supervising adults MUST be in the front passenger seat.

How to Get a First-Time License in South Carolina

A first-time license is given to 15½- to 16-year-olds.

Here’s where it gets a bit confusing.

The type of first-time license you get will vary depending on your age.

If you’re 15½ years old but under 16, you can apply for a conditional license.

If you’re 16 years old but under 17 (or if you are 16 with a conditional license), you can apply for a special restricted license with a waiver.

What is the waiver?

Well, it will allow you to drive alone until midnight because you work or participate in extracurricular activities.

Okay, let’s show you how to get these first-time licenses.

Hold your beginner’s permit for 6 months.

Complete a state-approved driver’s education course.

Have a Certification of School Attendance showing that you are currently enrolled in school and have satisfactory attendance.

Obtain at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving. You must be supervised by the licensed individual listed on your Consent for Minor form.

NOTE: For your Driver’s Education, Certification of School Attendance, and Driving Practice, you will receive this at ALL approved driving schools and public or private high schools in the state. Do not download any copy online as the SCDMV will only accept authorized issuers.

Go to an SC DMV branch for your road test. If you go between 2 pm to 4 pm, you must schedule an appointment.

Whatever first-time license you’re applying for, bring these documents:
1. Completed application form (Form 447-NC)
2. Your valid beginner’s permit
3. Authorized Driver’s Education, Certification of School Attendance, and Driving Practice forms.
4. Proof of identity and date of birth
5. Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
6. Social Security Number
7. Proof of current address in South Carolina
8. Proof of legal name change (if any)

If you’re applying for a special restricted license with a waiver, submit these documents:
1. A letter that explains that you need this waiver. The letter can be from your school, vocational training, work, church, etc.
2. A letter from your parent/legal guardian that approves the waiver.

Pass the vision test.

Take and pass your road test.

Pay $25 for your first-time license.

What are the restrictions for a first-time license?

The conditional license and special restricted license have the same restrictions. These are:

You cannot have more than two passengers below 21 years old unless you are with a licensed driver who is at least 21. The only exception is when you’re driving family members OR students to and from school.
You may drive unsupervised from 6 AM to 6 PM (8 PM during daylight savings time).
You have to be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 from 6 PM (or 8 PM on daylight savings) to midnight.
You can drive from midnight to 6 AM if you are supervised by the individual listed on your Consent for Minor form.

If you are granted a special restricted license WITH WAIVER, you can drive alone until midnight IF you are participating in extracurricular activities as stated in the letter you gave the DMV.

How to Get a Regular Driver’s License in South Carolina

Your first-time license will automatically turn into a regular driver’s license IF:

You have held your first-time license for 1 year OR turned 17 years old (whichever comes first)
You have no traffic violations (your license will be suspended for 6 months if you have 6 or more points)
You were not at fault in a collision

If you fulfill all those, the SCDMV will send out a full driving privilege sleeve through the mail.

You must keep this sleeve with your first-time license to prove that you have FULL DRIVING PRIVILEGES.

CONGRATS!

YOU DID IT!

Okay, okay.

We’re not yet done.

What about those who apply for the first time and they’re already 17+ years old?

Well, here are the steps:

Get a beginner’s permit and hold it for 6 months. You can check the above section for the steps on how to get a beginner’s permit.

After 6 months, go to an SCDMV office for your road test. If you go between 2 pm and 4 pm, make sure to make an appointment first.

While there, bring the following:
1. A filled-out application form (Form 447-NC)
2. Your valid beginner’s permit
3. Proof of identity and date of birth
4. Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
5. Social Security Number
6. Proof of current address in South Carolina
7. Proof of legal name change (if any)

NOTE: Choose Form MV-93 for acceptable documents for US citizens AND Form MV-94 for acceptable documents for non-US citizens.

Pass the vision test.

Pass the road test.

Pay the license fee of $25.

Get your regular driver’s license.

If you’re already 17+ years old, the whole process is a lot quicker.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Driver’s License Requirements

What Do You Need to Get a New Driver’s License in South Carolina?

For all your SCDMV visits for a driver’s license, you need to provide these documents:

Proof of identity and date of birth
Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
Social Security Number
Proof of current address in South Carolina (you need to show 2 of these if applying for a REAL-ID license).
Proof of legal name change (if needed)

For acceptable documents, check Form MV-93 for US citizens and Form MV-94 for non-US citizens.

Of course, you may need to provide other documents (such as a Driver’s Education, Certification of School Attendance, and Driving Practice) depending on the license you’re applying for.

For a complete list of what you need, check the sections above.

Can a Non-US Citizen Get a Driver’s License in South Carolina?

Yes, you can.

Just make sure that you prepare the documents needed for a non-US citizen (check Form MV-94 for this).

Also, make sure that you apply in the right SCDMV branch. South Carolina only has select branches allowing for international applicants.

Check out the branches here.

Do You Have to Take a Driving Test to Get Your License in South Carolina?

Yes, a driving test is required for anyone getting an SC driver’s license.

For this, you can walk in for the test from 8:30 am (9:30 am on Wednesdays) to 1:30 pm. After that, you will have to schedule an appointment.

Click here for the SCDMV’s online scheduler.

How Much Does an SC Driver’s License Cost?

An 8-year license in South Carolina will cost $25.

However, that’s not your only expense. Here is a breakdown of everything you’ll need to spend on:

Knowledge test – $2
Beginner’s permit – $2.50
Driver’s Education – $30 to $300
License fee – $25
TOTAL: $60 to $329

What’s on the SC Driving Test?

The driving test will include checking your knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, and driver safety. You will also be asked to do the following:

Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers
Test your brake lights
Make lane changes
Make turns
Parallel park
100 feet backing
Park on a hill
Perform a three-point turnabout
Straight line backing

How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test in SC?

There are 30 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you need to get 24 questions correct.

To prepare for this, you should study the SC Driver’s Manual and take some FREE online practice exams.

Can I Use a Foreign Driver’s License in South Carolina?

Yes, you can.

However, your original driver’s license must be from a country with reciprocity. You can find a list of these countries in the SC Driver’s Manual, page 19.

Conclusion

And those were the South Carolina driver’s license requirements.

It’s a bit confusing at first.

But once you are familiar with all the stages and steps, it will be a breeze.

So if you just turned 15 years old (or whatever age), go ahead and work on your beginner’s permit.

From there, you can either get a conditional license, a special restricted license with a waiver, or a regular driver’s license.

Best of luck!